Amen to that!!

there just alot of farms where i live,docking is second nature.
vets around here will lose alot of trade,if you lived were i do you would see where im coming from.
police will not blink an eyelid at a docked dog,its a farming community.
there are also one or 2 'working' kennels that dock near where i live,they still will.
if you live in the city it mite be different.
there are farms around here that use rottis 4work,they dock there pups and sell ne pups they dont keep on,they dock the whole litter,not just one or two

Thats where the fundamental base of anti tail docking comes from, the assumption that its a Rottie or Dobe or whatever, therefore its tail gets cut off.

Docking has to be done ( and dew claws) when young, but its the assumption that it needs to be done because it is accepted for a particular breed that brings the whole thing into question.

Whilst docking is in some cases beneficial to particular breed used for work, it can cause ongoing problems which can be compared with tail injuries causing pain and suffering to adult dogs.

I don't condone docking for the sake of, but do understand docking for the original reasons. I perceive docking as mutilation but in some cases necessary for the adult dogs future health.

Generally speaking the ban is right, its clear cut and defined but should never have been necessary had we not been chopping the tails off dogs willynilly because it looked right.
In the case of a Dobe, it doesn't, really its what you get used to.

thats what im trying to say.
unfortunatly people are 'used' to certain dogs looking a certain way,that mite change,but it will take time
im not saying the ban is a bad thing,but there are loop holes just like everything else

I can only speak for myself but what got me was the three reasons for not docking that were given to the caller,
1) very painful experiance / to date they dont have any hard evidence that it causes pain, I have my pups done at 24 hrs old and there nerve endings are not fully working, I have to admit they seem none the worse for it, infact they scream there heads off when getting chipped I find this more upseting for pups yes they are older and feel more, but if you hurt a new born pup it lets you know, I hear the odd squeek form one or two but some dont seem to notice,
2) totaly unecessary, this speaks for itself
and the one that really gets me is
3) its ILLEGAL / which is not the case at all,
Its wholly wrong to make such a statement,

Shona it *has* been found that what you believe is not the case, not just in neonate pups but also in babies which were thought not to have developed nerves either and so used to have major operations performed on them with no anaesthetics either, and pretty recently at that.

The truth is that neonates feel pain considerably *more*. Anyone refusing to believe the facts are burying their heads in the sand because they don`t *want* to believe the truth :

MYTH 2 - Lack of myelination is an index of immaturity in the neonatal nervous system and therefore
neonates are not capable of pain perception. We know this is no longer correct, in fact the contrary occurs.
Anatomical studies have shown that the density of cutaneous nociceptive nerve endings in the late foetus and
newborn animal may equal or exceed that of adult skin (Anand and Cart 1989). Nociceptive impulses are
conducted via unmyelinated and thinly myelinated fibres. The slower conduction velocity in neonatal nerves
resulting from incomplete myelination is offset by the shorter interneuronal and neuromuscular distances that
the impulse has to travel. It has been shown, using quantitative neuroanatomical methods, that nerve tracts
associated with nociception in the spinal cord and brain stem are completely myelinated up to the thalamus
during gestation (Anand and Cart 1989). Further development of the pain pathways occurs during puppyhood
when there is a high degree of 'brain plasticity.'The development of descending inhibitory pain pathways in the
dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the sensory brain stem nuclei also occurs during this period, therefore painful
and other experiences during this period may determine the final architecture of the adult pain system.

THE PAIN OF TAIL DOCKING.

Tail docking involves the removal of all or part of the tail using cutting or crushing instruments. Muscles, tendons,
4 to 7 pairs of nerves and sometimes bone or cartilage are severed. The initial pain from the direct injury to the
nervous system would be intense and at a level that would not be permitted to be inflicted on humans. The
subsequent tissue injury and inflammation, especially if the tail is left to heal as an open wound will produce
the algogenic substances, the 'sensitising soup' and the 'dorsal horn wind up' required for peripheral and central
sensitisation and the development of ongoing pathological pain. Puppies are usually subjected to this pain and
trauma at 2 to 5 days of age when the level of pain would he much greater than an adult would experience
because the afferent stimuli reaching the dorsal horn from a greater density of sensitised cutaneous nociceptors
will exceed that of the adult and the strength and frequency of painful stimuli reaching the brain will he greater
because inhibitory pain pathways will not be developed.

*
The whimpering and the 'escape response' (continual movements) exhibited by most puppies
following tail docking, are evidence that they are feeling substantial pain. Animals tend to be
more stoic than humans due to an inherent preservation instinct.

*
Because some puppies do not show signs of intense suffering, it does not mean that the pain
inflicted on them has not registered in their central nervous system.

----------------------------------------


5. Conclusions
Our contemporary view of pain control mechanisms in neonatal mammals, based on scientific studies, is that descending inhibitory pathways are immature whilst the neonate has an otherwise fully functioning nociceptive system. Neonates show hormonal, physiological and behavioural stress responses, in response to pain, that are similar to those produced by adults but at lower thresholds. Neonates are therefore likely to be hypersensitive to pain, rather than hyposensitive as previously thought. Furthermore, there is compelling evidence that painful experiences in the neonate cause anatomical and physiological changes to the adult nervous system which result in lower pain thresholds and increased anxiety related behaviour. Consequently, a comprehensive and appropriate regimen of anaesthetic and analgesia, including post operative analgesia, must be put in place to mitigate both the short and long term effects of neonatal pain arising from clinical and surgical procedures and to address the risk of causing unnecessary suffering.

----------------------------------------------------

These comments are from qualified vets, some in general practice, some specialists directly involved in having to know about pain in neonates.
Are they all lying ?
Are they all wrong ?
This is just a *small* selection of what I could have posted from those who know the facts involved, its their job to know, they have done years of training in order to know about animals, pain, operations, procedures etc etc....


------------------------------

Unfortunately, despite the fact that this barbaric act is theoretically banned, a large number of breeders are clearly breaking the current law by continuing to dock tails and a significant number of vets are openly flouting the RCVS ruling that docking puppies tails for cosmetic purposes should be regarded as disgraceful professional conduct.

I have been openly critical of the RCVS on their failure to discipline members on this matter but to no avail. I have refused to dock tails for the past 25 years which of course predates the current legislation. Docking is a completely unnecessary procedure which is performed purely for cosmetic purposes and financial gain. Any excuse that it prevents injury in certain working breeds is far outweighed by the pain inflicted and the number of complications and disfigurements caused by docking. Dogs with docked tails are less able to express their body language and are more likely to suffer from attacks from other dogs and behavioural problems as a result. The average member of the public is ignorant of the suffering caused and if they were forced to be present when screaming puppies were having their tails cut off without analgesia they would surely boycott all docked breeds."



Martin Atkinson BVSc MRCVS

-------------------------------------------

Roderick Beardshall MA VetMB MRCVS
"It seems crazy that we are still needing to justify seeking a ban on the utterly pointless mutilation of puppies. I honestly believe it is no more than a misguided and unfortunately entrenched fashion. I have seen no evidence in 17 years in practice to support the assertion that it is a useful preventive procedure. I believe that it causes a lot of harm by removing one of a dog's main means of expressing itself. This contributes to inter dog conflict and misunderstanding which is potentially life threatening in many cases as euthanasia as a result of serious behavioural problems is still far too common. I would like you to quote these views where appropriate if possible. Good luck."

--------------------------------------

Alex Briault M.Sc., B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
"Having qualified from Liverpool University in 1987 it is sickening that 18 years later EVERY DAY I am at work people bring in pups which have been docked and almost WITHOUT EXCEPTION they tell me they would have preferred a dog with a tail, but the breeder did not offer them the choice. Well done and good luck."

---------------------------------------


" I should like to register my strong opposition to non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. I admit to having carried out docking, reluctantly, as a young graduate in practice. This was done under pressure from clients who had puppies to sell, and who covertly threatened to do it themselves if I refused.
I am glad that young vets these days should not have such pressure put upon them, but still feel that there is much to be done to educate the layman about the "acceptable" appearance of many breeds.
I fixed a lot of dog's legs whilst in practice, noone has ever advocated docking puppies legs to prevent damage in later life. Similarly, a frequent repair in working dogs seemed to be stitching flank folds of dogs that had not quite cleared a wire fence. We accept this sort of repair, why should we make the excuse that we cannot accept repairing the occasionally damaged dogs tail?"

(Dr) Harriet W Brooks, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS
Pathologist, Royal Veterinary College.

----------------------------------

Janet Chapman BVSc MRCVS
" I am against docking of puppies tails for cosmetic reasons.
The procedure is barbaric and painful. It should have been banned long ago.

-----------------------------------

Helen Clyne, B.V.Sc [Hons], MACVS - Melbourne, Australia
"Please add me to you list of vets who support the banning of tail docking of dogs. It is unbelievable that this cruel, barbaric and inhumane practice still continues in the 21st century. If it had never been done before and someone tried to introduce it an animal ethics committee would laugh it out of the room in under 2 seconds. The overwheliming majority of the public support the banning of this ridiculous practice so it is only a matter of time before it becomes illegal in the UK as it already is in so many other countries. I just hope that when this happens it also becomes illegal to sell a puppy with a docked tail as this will add further support to wiping out the practice forever."

--------------------------------


Sheila Cranna BVMS, MRCVS
"Please add my name to your list of Vets against tail docking.There is no defence for Veterinary Surgeons who painfully mutilate animals for non-therapeutic reasons. I'm disgusted that there are Vets who still condone and participate in this shameful cruelty."

--------------------------------

Owen Davies MA VetMB MRCVS
This cruel and pointless practice needs to end.

-------------------------------

Barrie Fleming BVMS MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Adviser
"I have never believed in, nor participated in, this barbaric act. All the arguments for tail docking simply do not wash. Removal of an appendage in-case it gets injured does not make sense - surely that argument would stand for legs, necks, ears etc which I have seen injured more frequently than tails - why not simply remove these post birth to prevent problems!?"

--------------------------------

John Foord BSc BVSc MRCVS
" Great site!!! Having early in my career been forced into a position to dock puppies tails I have to say it is one of the most barbaric things I have ever seen. I wholeheartedly add my name to this list. Keep up the fight."

-----------------------------------

Paul Grant MVB, MRCVS.
"Qualified in 1987 and been in Kent, more or less, ever since.Surely inflicting pain is the opposite to being a vet!

-----------------------------------

"I am against removing the healthy tails from a great many puppies in order to prevent perfectly treatable tail injury occurring in a small minority of those same dogs when adult. Owners of sporting dogs whose animals' tails are injured should be expected to fulfil the same basic care and management routines required of ordinary pet owners. If, for whatever reason, they cannot or will not cope with the care of such simple injuries as tail damage in their animals, then they should not be keeping or using dogs in the first place. Neglected injury, lack of treatment or too early return to work which compromises welfare in working dogs should be a matter for animal protection agencies, just as it is with ordinary pet owners."



Andrew Gardiner BVM&S CertSAS MSc MRCVS

-----------------------------

Rosemary Gibson B.Vet Med BSc (Hons) MRCVS
"I am a veterinary surgeon working in the government sector in Northern Ireland in the Department of Agriculture, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. I am strongly opposed to tail docking for non-therapeutic reasons. Dog breeders and owners need to admit that this is a cruel and totally unnecessary practice that is fuelled totally by commercial greed and ridiculous vanity (the "breed standard"). And they call themselves dog-lovers?"

----------------------------------

Hilary Glasgow BVMS MRCVS
"Would like to join petition to ban tail docking...unnecessary cruel for fashion in my opinion"



--------------------------------
Manus Graham MVB, MPhil, MRCVS.

" I would like to add my name to those of other vets who are calling for a total ban on the docking of pups tails. My position on the matter is based on 12 years in small-animal practice (where in the un-enlightened Eighties I docked many a pups tail), 3 years post-graduate research into the pain associated with tail-dockingin lambs (which is a separate issue I hasten to add), basic logic and a healthy contempt for the “Caution, Show Dogs in transit” brigade.

If it subsequently transpires that real working (gun) dogs do indeed regularly suffer traumatic damage to their tails in thick cover then the matter can be revisited and a derogation made based on hard rather than anecdotal evidence.

------------------------------------

"I would like to register my firm opposition to the non-therapeutic docking
of puppies. I qualified as a veterinarian in 1980 and hold the RCVS certificate in
animal welfare science and law. I have considered the available literature
in detail. There available evidence does not indicate that docking
"prevents injury" but there is strong evidence (clinical, pathological and
ethological ) that it can cause both short term and long term suffering.My own clinical experience of handling docked animals is that a pain
response can frequently be elicited by pressure on the healed stump of a
docked tail. Neuromata are known to be a frequent sequel to docking injuries
in other species. In pigs, there is that any "protective" effect could
simply be due to guarding of a chronically painful lesion. I accept that tails can become injured when working but so can ears, eyes,
claws and footpads. No case is made for removing these or other vulnerable
appendages. My own experience with my own undocked terrier is that she works
well in the heaviest undergrowth and has never suffered a tail injury. On the basis of these points, my ethical position as a veterinarian and utilitarian is that non-therapeutic docking cannot be justified and should
be banned."

Roger Hancock BA Vet MB Cert WEL MRCVS
Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)

--------------------------------------

Craig Harrison BVM&S, CertSAD, MRCVS.
White Cross Veterinary Centre, Guiseley,Leeds.
"Please add my name and that of my practice to the list of veterinarians opposed to tail docking. Having performed this unnecessary procedure in my early days in practice, I am only too aware of the pain, distress and suffering it causes and this mutilation has been banned in our practice for many years. The procedure is abhorrent to the vast numbers of caring Vets and Veterinary Nurses in this country and, in my opinion, the only reason it persists is the short sighted obstinacy of a very few misguided individuals, including unfortunately some veterinarians, who seem to be more committed to their involvement in breed societies or blood sports than they are to the welfare of animal’s under their care."

-----------------------------------------

James Hunt BVetMed CertVA MRCVS."
I am pleased to say I have never amputated a tail for anything other than therapeutic reasons. The sooner a clear and unambiguous ban, on this most barbarous of fashion statements is enforced, the better in my opinion."

-----------------------------------------

Alan Hurst BVM&S, MRCVS
Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary Service.
"I very strongly support your campaign for a complete ban on the
non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. Twelve years in small animal
practice convinced me that this practice is unnecessary, cruel and based on
nothing more than the vanity of certain sections of the dog-owning
community."

---------------------------------------

Ann Louise Jagoe MVB MRCVS
"I would like to add my name to the list as I believe the procedure is cruel and completely unnecessary ,I believe an exemption for "working dogs" is a ridiculous cop out as many working dogs are GSDs and labradors but nobody is advocating docking these breeds."

-----------------------------------------

Deborah Jeffreys BVSc CertVR MRCVS
"I would like to register my support for the campaign to stop non-therapeutic docking in dogs. This mutilation is in my opinion totally unnecessary and cruel.

-----------------------------------------

Jennifer Kinns VetMB MRCVS
Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
"Please add my name in support of a ban on tail docking. The practice is
barbaric and against the principles of good veterinary care."

---------------------------------

Chris Laurence QVRM TD BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Director. The Dogs Trust.
"Please add my name to the list. I believe there is strong scientific evidence to show that docking causes pain, deprives the dog of a means of expression, and may predispose to disease later in life. I see no justification for anything except a complete ban on all except therapeutic docking."

-----------------------------------

Robert Geoffrey Lee BVSc (Hons) MRCVS
Rosalind Lee BVSc MRCVS
"We would like to add our names to the list. We have kept Dobermanns for many years with tails. We have worked in rural areas for more than 30 years and have seen no evidence that the working dogs left with tails are likely to suffer injuries to their tails."

----------------------------------

Philip Lhermette BSc CBiol MIBiol BVet Med MRCVS
" There is no logical argument to continue this completely unnecessary and cruel mutilation. Let’s see it off once and for all!"

------------------------------------

Jamie McClement BVSc MRCVS, Beeches Veterinary Hospital, Slough
"There is no point to docking. I have treated many working animals, with and without tails, for wounds to the torso and legs, but never one indicating tail amputation. This procedure is far more commonly required for cats whose tails get caught in doors, and no-one is suggesting docking of kittens' tails."

-----------------------------------

Dr David C. J. Main BVetMed PhD CertVR DWEL MRCVS
BVA Animal Welfare Foundation Lecturer in Animal Welfare
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law
University of Bristol
"I would like to support a complete ban on all non- therapeutic docking of dogs' tails. Veterinary surgeons should act as animal advocates and a mutilation that causes pain cannot be justified for aesthetic reasons."

--------------------------------

L-J.Macholc B.V.Sc(Hons.) M.R.C.V.S
"We wish to support you in your campaign to have the non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails made illegal. As far as we are aware, the majority of veterinary surgeons will no longer dock tails for cosmetic reasons,but as you are well aware, those who continue to do so will always find a reason until the practice of cosmetic docking is made totally illegal."

------------------------------------

Nick Marsh BVSc MRCVS
Kerry Marsh BVSc MRCVS
Ciki Van Loggerenberg BVSc MRCVS
"Myself, my wife and my colleague would like to be added to the list of vets against docking. It is a cruel and barbaric practice with no basis in veterinary medicine, and it is time it was finally banned.

-------------------------------------

James Y Mason BVMS MRCVS
"A few years after qualifying (over 20 years ago) my conscience stopped me docking tails.

-----------------------------------------

Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS MRCVS.
"(I am) Writing in support of a total ban on tail docking throughout the UK. I have been in companion animal practice for over 30 years during which time very few dogs have been presented with tail injuries. However, I have seen many pups suffering from tail infections and persistent pain and discomfort due to docking.
"Old habits die hard" - people get entrenched in a way of behaving and thinking - and it is very difficult to engage them.


---------------------------------------

Rob Pope BVetMed (Hons.) BSc(Hons.) MRCVS
"I have been against docking since witnessing it seeing practice in Gloucestershire and being fobbed off with the "If I don't do it, the breeder will" line. Until this practice becomes a punishable offence and breed standards are changed, this may well unfortunately be the case, so the focus has to be not on driving this underground, but to ensure that the law is changed and subsequently, breeders who continue this practice are prevented from owning animals for a period, plus other measures deemed necessary, as befits the crime of cruelty to animals."

---------------------------------------

Theresa Proudfoot BVMS MRCVS
"Tail docking is more than unnecessary, it is a handicap to a dog in terms of both balance and communicating with fellow canines, as well as causing pain when performed, contrary to what the Kennel Club and others would like us to believe."

---------------------------------------

Heidi Robinson BVSc MRCVS
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
"Both vets and others that use the excuse that they are docking working breeds to prevent tail injuries should watch the fox hounds (whos tails I've never seen docked) run through brush and wire for several hours, two or three times a week. These are far more at risk than your average urban boxer from injuries! We all know its a pathetic excuse."

-----------------------------------

A few years ago in practice I was written to by the council for docked breeds to see if I would dock tails- my reply to them was ' if prophylactic docking was necessary in gun dogs to prevent tail injuries then a human equivalent would [erhaps be that all rugby players should have their ears removed to prevent cauliflower ears and haematomas'.

It is really sad that some vets are still doing this barbaric practice

Juliette Riddall BVSc CertVA MACVSc MRCVS

------------------------------------

Clare Rusbridge
BVMS DipECVN MRCVS RCVS and European Speicialist in Veterinary Neurology
Stone Lion Veterinary Centre, Wimbledon Common.
"I fail to be convinced by the "susceptible to trauma" argument. Many dog breeders are more concerned about the potential purchase or show value of a dog rather than its welfare. It is time vets stood up to them."

-------------------------------------

Robert Russell BVM& S MRCVS. Southampton.
"Please feel free to add my name to the list on your website. I have refused to dock tails for more years than I care to remember following the death of two OESD pups after docking to the crazy degree required for breed standards. I was fortunately on this occasion not the vet that performed the docking but there but for the grace etc..."

--------------------------------

Vicky Sims BVM&S MRCVS
"Please add my name to the list of vets against the non-therapeutic docking of dogs tails. It is a completely unnecessary and cruel procedure."

----------------------------------

All veterinary surgeons working at the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hong Kong are firmly apposed to the tail docking of animals and believe it to be a barbaric and inhumane procedure:
1. Jane Gray BVSc MRCVS Deputy Director (Veterinary Services)
2. Fiona Woodhouse MA VetMB MRCVS Deputy Director (Welfare)
3. Michael Hough BVSc MRCVS Senior Veterinary Surgeon
4. Corla DeWet BVSc MRCVS
5. Michael Muir BVMS MRCVS
6. Yasmin Jiwa DVM MRCVS
7. Heidrun Kraft Dipl Tzt MRCVS
8. Catherine Sen MA VetMB MRCVS
9. Carmel Taylor MVB MRCVS
10. Marisa Goodie BVSc MRCVS
11. Liza Koster BVSc BSc (Hons) MRCVS
12. Carla Chow BVM&S MRCVS
13. Gillian Norbert-Tikun (visiting vet) BVM&S MRCVS
14. Michael Bradley BVMS MRCVS
15. Gillian Hung BVet Med MRCVS
16. Susie Lam Dr Med.Vet MRCVS
17. Kate Iu BVSc
18. Matthew Field BVSc
19. Cheryl Mc Meekan BVSc MSc
20. Pat Poon (locum) BVSc BSc (Vet)
21. Sharon Chan (locum) BVSc MRCVS
22. Betty Chan (locum) BVSc MRCVS
23. Alison Main (locum) BVMS MRCVS

-------------------------------

Julie Turner B.Vet. Med., MRCVS.
"I have been in practice over 20 years and when I was a young vet was coerced into performing several dockings and dew claw removals of litters of puppies. Eventually my policy was to have the owner hold the pup and point out exactly at which level they wanted this done. This left several amateur breeders traumatised with the practice and eventually my practice employers had another vet perform this mutilation.

I have been asked many times if it is a painful procedure so I liken it to cutting off a 3 day old baby's finger. I also explain that it is only recently that some medical experts have found out that babies feel pain (re circumcision) even though they may have stopped showing overt signs."

-------------------------------------

Colin Whiting BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
Clinical director, County Vets Ltd- Alsager, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Tail docking causes pain and distress and is a barbaric mutilation for fashion's sake alone."

---------------------------------


"What a shame that a tiny minority (64 out of over 20,000 registered veterinary surgeons) continue to pander to the archaic whims of ill-informed breeders and The Kennel Club. What ever happened to their professional oath re. doing their best for the animal under their care?
But then, the average member of Vets For Docking qualified in 1950 and has clearly failed to keep up to date with the enlightened views of the 21st century.
Some members of this group do not have veterinary degrees and some have even been struck off the register for reasons including gross professional misconduct."



Helen O'Hare, MA VetMB, MRCVS

--------------------------------



The vets all over the country who have the combined *real* experience totally and utterly refute that it is necessary.
The lack of tail injuries to working as well as nonworking dogs in countries where it is already totally banned attests to how unnecessary it is.



It is illegal for a layman to do it.
It is against the RCVS Code of Ethics for a vet to do it.
The fact that some persons do it themselves [ illegally ] and a tiny handful of unethical vets flout the RCVS and the oath they took does not negate the fact that between the law and the veterinary governing body, it should not be done by anyone anywhere either legally or ethically.


In support of the OP for having the guts to speak up to someone wanting to have tails mutilated on two weeks old pups [ yeah, that one did a lot of research about breeding them then eh ? ], this comment from another vet is certainly within being on-topic as far as seeing off such persons goes, [ and judging by the number of practices who have said they don`t want breeders who want them to dock to be on their client lists this one below, and the OPs comment to that person are probably quite mild...] :


Jo Reynolds BVSc Poole Vets4Pets
"In my 10 years of working I have never docked a tail unless for therapeutic purposes. I still have many clients asking if I will dock a litter of puppies but I point out that they shouldn’t be selling to people that request this mutilation.

Hi guys - I know this is an emotive topic but please keep the discussion amicable. You don't have to respect other peoples opinions, but to maintain a friendly community spirit we do have to respect everyone else's right to hold their own views.

I'm deleting some posts and moving this thread to the discussions section. Please note if you do post in this thread your points made will be open to discussion.

Thanks

like you said,we are all intittled to our OWN opinions on this matter.
i cant personally see the point in the ban,itwill just encourage more idiot 2 do a DIY job.
atleast there are people that have it done proffessionally.
i feel neuting/spaying is cruel unless there is a reason 4 it but you dont see people being slandered 4 putting there dog through that

But as docking will be illegal other than for those very few exceptions anyone walking around with a docked puppy born after April is going to look very suspicious and I bet the RSPCA will have a field day trying to prosecute as many people as possible for docking dogs. I really don't think that all the puppies that are docked today will be docked had they been born after April.
To suggest it will make no difference at all is a very bizarre statement to make.
You have to remember that many people are against docking (around 80% of the British Public and this figure hasn't changed for years) and there are many breeders who only docked because they showed and didn't want to be penalised. I don't think it's going to fail. Yes there are those that will break the law but they always will do, now there will be a law in place that will catch up with them, and in quite an obvious manner.
Becky

Unfortunately this thread has turned into yet another docking post and theres plenty of them on this forum to look at already with exactly the same information which has been posted.
I felt the whole point of this thread was the way in which the OP dealt with an enquiry and whether she was right or wrong in her actions but we seem to have gone miles off topic yet again and it's turned into a docking debate once more. I appreciate that whatever your belief it is an important issue but does every post have to be turned into a docking war.
So at this point I'll bow out and let you all throw tomatoes at me